Horse racing game

ABSTRACT

A horse racing game includes a game board that has a plurality of concentric lanes having at least one starting point, a finish point and an equal number of movement increments. Markers are identifiable with each player and used to identify the position of the player on the game board in an identified lane. A direction indicating device randomly determines if the player&#39;s marker will move in a forward direction, a rearward direction or remain in place. A movement indicating device randomly determines a number of the increments a marker will move. The movement indicating device has a feature for moving the marker in the forward direction only one increment when the marker is located upon the increment directly adjacent the finish point. Each player operates the direction indicating and movement indicating devices in turn to determine a direction and number of increments to be traversed by the player&#39;s marker.

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates to board games, and more specifically to a game simulating oval track horse racing for multiple competitors having various features relating to actual racing situations.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Board games are devised to provide entertainment relating to particular activities that are of interest to different identified groups. In order to provide interest and excitement, it is usually desirable to have the game simulate some real-life features related to the activity of interest. As the present invention relates to horse racing, it is desirable to have the game simulate factors relating to actual horse racing, most notably, how such races are won or lost. The present invention simulates some of these features.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,042,245, issued to Zarour, discloses a game board with coded dice and game pieces. The game board defines the field of play for the game, which is a horse racetrack. The track is divided into individually identified lanes. The lanes run parallel to each other and form an oval track having a starting line and a finish line. The lanes are divided into individual segments, each segment representing one move for each playing piece, thus signifying one length. A playing piece is assigned to each participant and is in the form of a horse. Each individual die, the lanes, and the pieces are marked with identifying indicia. In one embodiment, the indicia constitute color coding. The dice are conventional, having six faces, each displaying a different number between 1 and 6. In playing the game, all of the dice are gathered and tossed into a central zone of the game board. The upwardly facing horizontal face of each die displays a number. Each participant then moves his color coded playing piece in his or her individual lane only, corresponding to the number displayed by his or her color coded die. The track has segments from the starting line to the finish line with a number of over-run segments for the situation when two players reach the finish line at the same time.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,463,496, issued to Weinstein et al. discloses a racing game apparatus which includes color matched dice and tokens. The game board has an oval track printed on its surface. The track has eight parallel lanes, each including straight portions, which are the home stretch and back stretch, interconnected by the curved turn portions. The player pieces are in the figure of a horse mounted on a small stand. Players' movements are controlled by a combination of dice and counters or tokens. In one embodiment, six dice are provided, separated by color into three sets. The first set is a single red colored die, the second set is two white dice, and the third set is three green dice.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,853,173, issued to Murphy illustrates a board game that simulates horse racing. The game has a playing board with a plurality of slots in an oval configuration. The slots form six lanes, each separated into twelve lengths. One of the twelve lengths signifies a starting point and another length a finishing point. Each of the playing pieces is designated by a number and resembles a race horse with a jockey aboard. As noted in the Specification, the number of lengths 18 could be increased or reduced.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,658,760, issued to Brost is directed to a horse racing game. The race course has eight tracks which are equally spaced throughout the extent of the race course and are defined by a series of advancing stations which are numbered 5-12. The playing pieces are shaped to simulate a horse with a jockey. Each playing piece is a different color or has a number associated with it. The playing pieces for the players advance to each station through the throwing of dice. Die has one spot on one face, a symbol such as a star or asterisk on its opposite face, and marking the other four faces. One die has a “1” spot on one face, a symbol on its opposite face and “5”, “6”, “7” “8” on its other four faces. Another die has a “1” spot on one face, and a “1” spot on its opposite face, and “2”, “3”, “4”, and “5” spots on its other four faces. The contestants take turns throwing the dice, and the playing pieces are advanced according to the roll of the dice. A single symbol may have no significance, but two symbols may advance all horses one or more advancing stations, as may be decided in playing the game.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,564,709, issued to Smolka discloses a photo-finish horse racing game that has an assembly for determining the winner of the game when two players stop at the finish line in a dead heat. The game board has a simulated race track with lanes divided into increments. Game pieces simulating horses are incrementally movable around the track, depending on the roll of the dice. The game pieces begin at the starting gate and go once around the track to the finish line. A photo-finish assembly, having a rotatable disk with indicia, is mounted in the game board and viewable through a window. A spherical handle is connected to the disk for manually rotating it. When the handle is manually turned to rotate the disk and then let go, the disk freely rotates on bearing assemblies, until the disk comes to a rest. When this happens, the indicia on the disk will be viewable through the window. If one pair of horse necks and heads appears in the window, the inside horse is ahead of the outside horse and therefore is the winner of the race. If the other pair of horse necks and heads appears in the window, then the outside horse is the winner.

U.S. Pat. No. 1,628,073, issued to Sousa discloses a horse racing game employing specially marked dice to determine movement of the game pieces. Two of the dice have numbers 0-5 on their faces while a third has numbers 0 and 6 and symbols +, −, x and letter B. The numbers indicate the distance a piece is to be moved, the mathematical symbols indicate if the distance numbers are to be added, subtracted or multiplies and the B indicate backward movement.

It is an objective of the present invention to provide a simulated horse racing board game providing features mimicking an actual horse race. It is a further objective to provide such a game that will provide horse racing excitement based upon random event generation systems. Finally, it is an objective of the present invention to provide such a game that can be played by a variable number of participants while maintaining the excitement of the game.

While some of the objectives of the present invention are disclosed in the prior art, none of the inventions found include all of the requirements identified.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention addresses all of the deficiencies of prior art horse racing games and methods for playing same inventions and satisfies all of the objectives described above.

(1) A horse racing game providing the desired features may be constructed from the following components. A game board is provided. The game board has a plurality of concentric lanes. Each of the lanes has at least one starting point, a finish point and an equal number of identified movement increments. At least two marker pieces are provided. Each of the marker pieces is identifiable with a player and is used to identify a position of the player on the game board within a selected lane. A direction indicating device is provided. The direction indicating device randomly determines if the player's marker piece will move in a forward direction, a rearward direction or remain in place.

A movement indicating device is provided. The movement indicating device randomly determines a number of the movement increments a player's marker piece will be displaced. The movement indicating device has at least one feature for moving the marker in the forward direction only one movement increment when the marker piece is located upon the movement increment directly adjacent to the finish point. Each of the players operates the direction indicating device and the movement indicating device in turn to determine a direction and number of movement increments to be traversed by the player's marker piece. Play continues until one of the marker pieces reaches the finish point.

(2) In a variant of the invention, the direction indicating device is a first die. The first die has face markings to indicate forward movement, rearward movement or no movement.

(3) In another variant, the first die has four faces indicating forward movement, one face indicating rearward movement and one face indicating no movement.

(4) In still another variant, the movement indicating device is a second die. The second die has face markings to indicate a number of movement increments to be traversed by a player's marker piece.

(5) In yet another variant, the second die has four faces numbered 1 through 4 indicating a number of movement increments to be traversed by a player's marker piece, a face marked with a horse's head, and a face marked with a horse's nose.

(6) In a further variant, the player's marker piece will only move forward one movement increment when the marker piece is located upon the movement increment directly adjacent to the finish point, the movement indicating device displays either a head or a nose and the direction indicating device displays an indicator for forward movement of the marker piece.

(7) A method of playing a horse racing game, includes the steps of: Providing a game board. The game board has a plurality of concentric lanes. Each of the lanes has at least one starting point, a finish point and an equal number of identified movement increments. Providing at least two marker pieces. Each of the marker pieces is identifiable with a player and used to identify a position of the player on the game board within a selected lane. Providing a direction indicating device. The direction indicating device randomly determines if the player's marker piece will move in either of a forward direction and a rearward direction or remain in place. Providing a movement indicating device. The movement indicating device randomly determines a number of the movement increments a player's marker piece will be displaced.

The movement indicating device has at least one feature for moving the marker in the forward direction only one movement increment when the marker piece is located upon the movement increment directly adjacent to the finish point. Using the movement indicating device to determine an order in which the players shall play the game. Each of the players operating the direction indicating device and the movement indicating device in turn to determine direction and number of movement increments to be traversed by the player's marker piece. Continuing play until one of the marker pieces reaches the finish point.

(8) A variant of the method of playing a horse racing game, further includes the step of providing a first die as a direction indicating device. The first die has face markings to indicate forward movement, rearward movement or no movement.

(9) Another variant further includes the step of providing a first die as a direction indicating device. The first die has four faces indicating forward movement, one face indicating rearward movement and one face indicating no movement.

(10) Still another variant further includes the step of providing a second die as a movement indicating device. The second die has face markings to indicate a number of movement increments to be traversed by a player's marker piece.

(11) Yet another variant further includes the step of providing a second die as a movement indicating device. The second die has four faces numbered 1 through 4 indicating a number of movement increments to be traversed by a player's marker piece, a face marked with a horse's head, and a face marked with a horse's nose.

(12) A final variant of the method of playing a horse racing game further includes the step of moving a player's marker piece forward only one movement increment when the marker piece is located upon the movement increment directly adjacent to the finish point, the movement indicating device displays either of a head and a nose and the direction indicating device displays an indicator for forward movement of the marker piece.

An appreciation of the other aims and objectives of the present invention and an understanding of it may be achieved by referring to the accompanying drawings and the detailed description of a preferred embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a plan view of the race course game board;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of a spinner for selecting the direction of movement of the marker pieces;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of a spinner for determining the distance to move the marker piece;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a die for selecting the direction of movement of the marker pieces;

FIG. 5 is a first perspective view of a die for determining the distance to move the marker piece illustrating movement of 1-4 increments; and

FIG. 6 is a second perspective view of the FIG. 5 die for determining the distance to move the marker piece illustrating designations of “a nose” and “a head.”

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

(1) FIGS. 1-6 illustrate a horse racing game 10 providing the desired features that may be constructed from the following components. As illustrated in FIGS. 1-3, a game board 14 is provided. The game board 14 has a plurality of concentric lanes 18. Each of the lanes 18 has at least one starting point 22, a finish point 26 and an equal number of identified movement increments 30. At least two marker pieces 34 are provided. Each of the marker pieces 34 is identifiable with a player (not shown) and is used to identify a position 42 of the player on the game board 14 within a selected lane 18. A direction indicating device 46 is provided. The direction indicating device 46 randomly determines if the player's marker piece 34 will move in a forward direction 50, a rearward direction 54 or remain in place.

A movement indicating device 58 is provided. The movement indicating device 58 randomly determines a number of the movement increments 30 a player's marker piece 34 will be displaced. The movement indicating device 58 has at least one feature 62 for moving the marker 34 in the forward direction 50 only one movement increment 30 when the marker 34 piece is located upon the movement increment 30 directly adjacent to the finish point 26.

Each of the players 38 operates the direction indicating device 46 and the movement indicating device 58 in turn to determine a direction and number of movement increments 30 to be traversed by the player's marker piece 34. Play continues until one of the marker pieces 34 reaches the finish point 26.

(2) In a variant of the invention, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the direction indicating device 46 is a first die 66. The first die 66 has face markings to indicate forward movement 70, rearward movement 74 or no movement 78.

(3) In another variant, the first die 66 has four faces indicating forward movement 70, one face indicating rearward movement 74 and one face indicating no movement 78.

(4) In still another variant, as illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, the movement indicating device 58 is a second die 82. The second die 82 has face markings to indicate a number of movement increments 30 to be traversed by a player's marker piece 34.

(5) In yet another variant, the second die 82 has four faces numbered 1 through 4 86 indicating a number of movement increments 30 to be traversed by a player's marker piece 34, a face marked with a horse's head 90, and a face marked with a horse's nose 94.

(6) In a further variant, the player's marker piece 34 will only move forward one movement increment 30 when the marker piece 34 is located upon the movement increment 30 directly adjacent to the finish point 26, the movement indicating device 58 displays either a head 90 or a nose 94 and the direction indicating device 46 displays an indicator for forward movement 70 of the marker piece 34.

(7) A method of playing a horse racing game 10, as illustrated in FIGS. 1-6, includes the steps of: Providing a game board 14. The game board 14 has a plurality of concentric lanes 18. Each of the lanes 18 has at least one starting point 22, a finish point 26 and an equal number of identified movement increments 30. Providing at least two marker pieces 34. Each of the marker pieces 34 is identifiable with a player 38 and used to identify a position of the player 38 on the game board 14 within a selected lane 18. Providing a direction indicating device 46. The direction indicating device 46 randomly determines if the player's marker piece 34 will move in either of a forward direction 50 and a rearward direction 54 or remain in place. Providing a movement indicating device 58. The movement indicating device 58 randomly determines a number of the movement increments 30 a player's marker piece 34 will be displaced.

The movement indicating device 58 has at least one feature 62 for moving the marker 34 in the forward direction 50 only one movement increment 30 when the marker piece 34 is located upon the movement increment 30 directly adjacent to the finish point 26. Using the movement indicating device 58 to determine an order in which the players 38 shall play the game 10. Each of the players 38 operating the direction indicating device 46 and the movement indicating device 58 in turn to determine direction and number of movement increments 30 to be traversed by the player's marker piece 34. Continuing play until one of the marker pieces 34 reaches the finish point 26.

(8) A variant of the method of playing a horse racing game 10, as illustrated in FIG. 4, further includes the step of providing a first die 66 as a direction indicating device 46. The first die 66 has face markings to indicate forward movement 70, rearward movement 74 or no movement 78.

(9) Another variant further includes the step of providing a first die 66 as a direction indicating device 46. The first die 66 has four faces indicating forward movement 70, one face indicating rearward movement 74 and one face indicating no movement 78.

(10) Still another variant, as illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, further includes the step of providing a second die 82 as a movement indicating device 58. The second die 82 has face markings to indicate a number of movement increments 30 to be traversed by a player's marker piece 34.

(11) Yet another variant, further includes the step of providing a second die 82 as a movement indicating device 58. The second die 82 has four faces numbered 1 through 4 86 indicating a number of movement increments 30 to be traversed by a player's marker piece 34, a face marked with a horse's head 90, and a face marked with a horse's nose 94.

(12) A final variant of the method of playing a horse racing game 10 further includes the step of moving a player's marker piece 34 forward only one movement increment 30 when the marker piece 34 is located upon the movement increment 30 directly adjacent to the finish point 26, the movement indicating device 58 displays either of a head 90 and a nose 94 and the direction indicating device 46 displays an indicator for forward movement 70 of the marker piece 34.

The horse racing game 10 and method of playing the game 10 has been described with reference to particular embodiments. Other modifications and enhancements can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the claims that follow. 

1. A horse racing game, comprising: a game board, said game board having a plurality of concentric lanes, each of said lanes having at least one starting point, a finish point and an equal number of identified movement increments; at least two marker pieces, each of said marker pieces identifiable with a player and used to identify a position of said player on said game board within a selected lane; a direction indicating device, said direction indicating device randomly determining if said player's marker piece will move in either of a forward direction and a rearward direction or remain in place; a movement indicating device, said movement indicating device randomly determining a number of said movement increments a player's marker piece will be displaced; said movement indicating device having at least one feature for moving said marker in said forward direction only one movement increment when said marker piece is disposed upon said movement increment directly adjacent to said finish point; and each of said players operating said direction indicating device and said movement indicating device in turn to determine direction and number of movement increments to be traversed by said player's marker piece, play continuing until one of said marker pieces reaches said finish point.
 2. The horse racing game, as described in claim 1, wherein said direction indicating device is a first die, said first die having face markings to indicate forward movement, rearward movement or no movement.
 3. The horse racing game, as described in claim 2, wherein said first die has four faces indicating forward movement, one face indicating rearward movement and one face indicating no movement.
 4. The horse racing game, as described in claim 1, wherein said movement indicating device is a second die, said second die having face markings to indicate a number of movement increments to be traversed by a player's marker piece.
 5. The horse racing game, as described in claim 4, wherein said second die has four faces numbered 1 through 4 indicating a number of movement increments to be traversed by a player's marker piece, a face marked with a horse's head, and a face marked with a horse's nose.
 6. The horse racing game, as described in claim 5, wherein said player's marker piece will only move forward one movement increment when said marker piece is disposed upon said movement increment directly adjacent to said finish point, said movement indicating device displays either of a head and a nose and said direction indicating device displays an indicator for forward movement of said marker piece.
 7. A method of playing a horse racing game, comprising the steps of: providing a game board, said game board having a plurality of concentric lanes, each of said lanes having at least one starting point, a finish point and an equal number of identified movement increments; providing at least two marker pieces, each of said marker pieces identifiable with a player and used to identify a position of said player on said game board within a selected lane; providing a direction indicating device, said direction indicating device randomly determining if said player's marker piece will move in either of a forward direction and a rearward direction or remain in place; providing a movement indicating device, said movement indicating device randomly determining a number of said movement increments a player's marker piece will be displaced; said movement indicating device having at least one feature for moving said marker in said forward direction only one movement increment when said marker piece is disposed upon said movement increment directly adjacent to said finish point; using said movement indicating device to determine an order in which said players shall play said game; each of said players operating said direction indicating device and said movement indicating device in turn to determine direction and number of movement increments to be traversed by said player's marker piece, play continuing until one of said marker pieces reaches said finish point.
 8. The method of playing a horse racing game, as described in claim 7, further comprising the step of providing a first die as a direction indicating device, said first die having face markings to indicate forward movement, rearward movement or no movement.
 9. The method of playing a horse racing game, as described in claim 7, further comprising the step of providing a first die as a direction indicating device, said first die having four faces indicating forward movement, one face indicating rearward movement and one face indicating no movement.
 10. The method of playing a horse racing game, as described in claim 7, further comprising the step of providing a second die as a movement indicating device, said second die having face markings to indicate a number of movement increments to be traversed by a player's marker piece.
 11. The method of playing a horse racing game, as described in claim 7, further comprising the step of providing a second die as a movement indicating device, said second die having four faces numbered 1 through 4 indicating a number of movement increments to be traversed by a player's marker piece, a face marked with a horse's head, and a face marked with a horse's nose.
 12. The method of playing a horse racing game, as described in claim 11, further comprising the step of moving a player's marker piece forward only one movement increment when said marker piece is disposed upon said movement increment directly adjacent to said finish point, said movement indicating device displays either of a head and a nose and said direction indicating device displays an indicator for forward movement of said marker piece. 